Local events in your rural community are a great opportunity to normalize conversations about mental health in safe, familiar settings. Whether it’s a county fair, hockey game, or school fundraiser, gatherings provide a chance for organizers to reduce stigma. Let’s talk about how you can bring mental health into the conversation at rural events – no special training required.
Introducing Mental Health at Community Events
You don’t necessarily need to host a standalone mental health-specific event to make an impact. Instead, you can start with a small gesture at your community’s next get-together. Here are some simple, low-barrier ideas:
- Set up an information table or booth with free mental health resources, like local support contacts, stress management tips, or brochures from Stigma-Free Mental Health Society’s Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit.
- Display signs or posters with messages like “It’s okay to talk about mental health” or “You are not alone.”
- Include a short statement in your event announcements highlighting the importance of mental wellness.
- Invite a community member with lived experience to share a brief personal story if possible or focus on ways that everyone can support one another.
- Incorporate a quick “mental health moment” during the event, such as a guided breathing exercise or a gratitude-sharing activity.
- Offer conversation starter cards at tables with prompts like: “What’s one thing that helps you recharge?” or “How do you take care of your mental health?” Check out our Conversation Cards to get the discussion going.
Make It Welcoming and Relatable 
Mental health conversations don’t need to feel clinical. In fact, they’re often most effective when they’re relatable and woven into everyday interactions. Try to:
- Focus on shared experiences. These could be common stressors that farmers deal with or topics like anxiety, grief, and burnout. Consider challenges that people in your area are already facing but don’t tend to discuss openly.
- Involve local voices and youth ambassadors to help lead activities or hand out materials.
- Respect cultural diversity. When possible, collaborate with local community leaders to ensure resources and messaging about mental health are culturally appropriate.
Use What’s Already Working
Adding a wellness element to recurring events can be helpful. For example:
- At an annual fall fair, include a “Wellness Walk” or community art project where participants can express their mental health journeys through writing or drawing.
- At a sports event, set up a booth near concessions with local mental health information.
- During a school open house, offer a table for parents with free caregiver wellness resources.
- At a church lunch, invite a rural mental health advocate to share a story about resilience and seeking support, or share an Inspiring Story video.
Resources You Can Share
The Stigma-Free Mental Health Society offers free, ready-to-use tools for rural communities that are easy for you to include in your events. The Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit contains printable materials you can use as a guide or hand out at your next gathering, tailored for rural residents of all ages. Check out our brochures, infographics, and activities on:
If you’re looking for ways to get students and youth involved, you can also spread the word about Stigma-Free Clubs at your events. These student-led groups promote mental health in their schools and wider community. Through starting a club at their school, educators can encourage youth to host their own events and take on leadership roles in reducing stigma.
Don’t forget to share national and local supports too, such as:
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 9-8-8
- National Farmer Crisis Line: 1-866-FARMS01
- Emergency and counselling services – Browse our Help & Community Resources to find mental health support in your area.
Need Help Getting Started?
Our charity is here to support you with our programs and resources. Don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re happy to help your community or school integrate our no-cost programs into your gatherings, or perhaps even attend your next event! For more information, browse our Rural Mental Wellness Program. Thank you for taking this step toward raising mental health awareness in your rural community and connecting people with the help they need.
References and Support Resources
The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing. National Farmer Crisis Line.
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline.
Chutiyami, M., Cutler, N., Sangon, S., Thaweekoon, T., Nintachan, P., Napa, W., Kraithaworn, P., & River, J. (2025). Community-Engaged Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiatives in Under-Resourced Settings: A Scoping Review of Primary Studies. Journal of primary care & community health, 16, 21501319251332723.
